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Planning your move to adult health services

Moving from child to adult health services is a good opportunity to take more control of your care. But the transition can take time. It’s best to start as early as possible.

Age 12 to 14

At age 12 to 14, you and your parents will be introduced to the idea of transition.

How you can prepare

Start to:

  • learn more about your condition, medicines and treatments
  • take a little more responsibility for your healthcare

You can do this by:

  • thinking about the questions you may like to ask at your hospital or clinic visits [anchor link]
  • using your phone to set reminders about hospital appointments and taking your medicines or treatments

Who will support you

Your parents, guardians and children's healthcare team will support you.

Talk to them about your medical history. This will help when you are older and have to answer questions from your healthcare team.

Age 14 to 16

At age 14 to 16, you can start planning your transition to adult health services.

How you can prepare

Start to:

  • pay attention at hospital or clinic visits
  • ask more questions

Think about:

  • taking more responsibility for your own medicines and treatments (knowing when and how much to take)
  • seeing your doctor or other healthcare professional by yourself, if possible
  • finding out what the differences are between child and adult health services

Who will support you

Your parents, guardians and children's healthcare team will continue to support you.

Age 16 to 18

At age 16 to 18, you should know when you are moving to adult health services and where you will be moving to.

You will be expected to answer questions about your medical history, medicines and treatments.

How you can prepare

If you can, start to:

  • contact your healthcare team yourself
  • arrange your own appointments

Think about:

  • which adult service you will transition to
  • your first visit to the adult clinic - consider the questions you would like to ask and make a list to take with you

Who will support you

You will be supported by:

  • your parents or guardians
  • your old and new healthcare teams

Some people may have a key worker to support them.

Your medicines

Talk to your parents or healthcare team about the kind of medicines you take.

It is helpful to know:

  • the name of the medicine you take
  • why you take the medicine
  • the exact dosage that you need to take
  • specific rules or instructions for the medicine (for example, storage instructions)
  • about any side effects
  • the effects of mixing medicines with other treatments, drugs or alcohol
  • which pharmacy you use
  • who prescribed the medicine for you

Your treatment

Talk to your parents or healthcare team about your treatment.

It is helpful to know:

  • what medical tests you have had
  • what the tests were for
  • how often you need to have the tests
  • who carries out the tests

Questions you can ask

  • What is the plan for my transition?
  • When am I moving to adult services?
  • Can I choose which adult service I move to?
  • What is different about adult services?
  • Can I visit the adult service to look around?
  • Are there any young people I can talk to about moving to adult services?
  • When can I start getting more involved in my healthcare?
  • How will my condition affect my future, such as my education and getting a job?

Your lifestyle choices

It’s important to think about your lifestyle choices and how they may affect your condition.

Read advice on how to stay well and support your physical and mental health.

Alcohol and health

Being active with a health condition

How to eat well

Looking after your mental health

Page last reviewed: 9 September 2024
Next review due: 9 September 2027